I hardwired my first 'system' i made it from junk for the most part. i was a kid so to save money on connectors i hard wired it. Not sure i can give you the detailed explanations you ask for, how about - instead of connectors i used copper wire and solder joint.
My Guide To Hard Wiring A System =
(1) Replace connectors with bits of wire.
(2) Curse yourself for doing this while cutting wires so you can move everything several weeks after determining the spot where your system can stay put permanently.
My Guide To Hard Wiring A System =
(1) Replace connectors with bits of wire.
(2) Curse yourself for doing this while cutting wires so you can move everything several weeks after determining the spot where your system can stay put permanently.
Meanwhile back in the real world, reducing total connector count is a reasonable goal. Most cords and cables only need a connector at one end.
I have built DIY pre-amps with permanently attached interconnect cables.
For AC power cords a IEC chassis connector is a waste.
Speaker cables can be permanently attached to DIY speakers.
I have built DIY pre-amps with permanently attached interconnect cables.
For AC power cords a IEC chassis connector is a waste.
Speaker cables can be permanently attached to DIY speakers.
Certainly hardwiring in a fully closed system would make sense - note that of the several old school stereo and mono consoles my parents had back into the early 60's -RCA, Baycrest and Fleetwood (department store house brands) - the turntable leads were almost always still RCA connectors into the pre-amp stage.
Glad this has segued into power lines also.
Speedskater, I looked around and see you have experience with the Neutrik POWERCON connectors. This has to be infinitely superior to any IEC and could be as good as whichever wall outlets our individual countries make us use.
I have never used them but I have a set on order to try out.
My plan is to make a reverse power strip. Have the individual wires for, in my case, six AC cables converge into one box which is then connected to the wall outlet through another length of cable.
Each of the six AC cables would have a NEUTRIK male connector and each component would use the female .
My hopes are that these connectors are as good as better than average US spec plugs and sockets.
Do you still use them? What do you like most about them?
Thanks,
Speedskater, I looked around and see you have experience with the Neutrik POWERCON connectors. This has to be infinitely superior to any IEC and could be as good as whichever wall outlets our individual countries make us use.
I have never used them but I have a set on order to try out.
My plan is to make a reverse power strip. Have the individual wires for, in my case, six AC cables converge into one box which is then connected to the wall outlet through another length of cable.
Each of the six AC cables would have a NEUTRIK male connector and each component would use the female .
My hopes are that these connectors are as good as better than average US spec plugs and sockets.
Do you still use them? What do you like most about them?
Thanks,
I have hard wired interconnects into pre amp and phono amp and cdp, speaker cables into amps. Very difficult if not impossible to A/B since one only knows there's a change when something's wrong, ie: a bad connection. Hard wiring eliminates bad connections.
However, 35 years ago I hard wired my Kef 105/2 direct to my Meridian 105 monos using Magnat Superflow 10awg speaker cable. 1260 strands of copper per lead. Hung like a silk rope. No winable skin effect argument here. So this little experiment consisted of separate Magnat cables hard wired into both speaker and amp. While bearing down on the - leads pushed into each other with a pair of large channelock pliers, I soldered them together. Then with music playing, I did the same with the + leads. What I heard at the moment the solder melted into the joint was astonishing. Hard to describe. Exponential increase in presence. Sound was much more rich and full. I was bearing down on the pliers with all my strength before I applied solder and still there was significantly more action on application. The solder was clearly acting as a lubricant at that moment. Probably not a better connection than a good mechanical one but it demonstrated the importance of good intimate contact.
However, 35 years ago I hard wired my Kef 105/2 direct to my Meridian 105 monos using Magnat Superflow 10awg speaker cable. 1260 strands of copper per lead. Hung like a silk rope. No winable skin effect argument here. So this little experiment consisted of separate Magnat cables hard wired into both speaker and amp. While bearing down on the - leads pushed into each other with a pair of large channelock pliers, I soldered them together. Then with music playing, I did the same with the + leads. What I heard at the moment the solder melted into the joint was astonishing. Hard to describe. Exponential increase in presence. Sound was much more rich and full. I was bearing down on the pliers with all my strength before I applied solder and still there was significantly more action on application. The solder was clearly acting as a lubricant at that moment. Probably not a better connection than a good mechanical one but it demonstrated the importance of good intimate contact.
What, a new mouse comes into the room and we old cats shouldn't play with it?
Oh, wait, I see the mouse has been removed. Show's already over, darn, I was too late for it.
Sometimes pulling another's leg/toying with them is the only way to stay sane in a sometimes insane world.It's the only somewhat sane/science based audio forum on the Internet.
I am well aware of what the thread is about.
I would think ridding the system of six conventional AC outlets would qualify as a reduction.
The best thing about this is the opportunity to consolidate your system. Eg at the circuit level such as conjugating your speaker impedance for an easy load, which is a small thing but only DIYers seem to do these little things. Or incorporating your crossover into your amp/s. Maybe one of the most important is fitting your speaker to your room.
Yes I have, just like a lot of other people have. The results were what one would expect. What do you expect?
Sppedskater,
You must be using some connectors I have not tried since that has never been my experience with ANY connector.
What are you using for interconnect and for speaker connections?
I have found the DELTRON XLRs, using only the insert, (only two pins used in a single ended system) to work very well for interconnects while I am taking components in and out of the system before finalizing but I have never heard anything come close to a soldered connection for loudspeakers - both at the amp and the driver/enclosure depending on the system make up.
Ric Schultz of TWEAK AUDIO came up with a idea of using the existing binding posts on amplifiers in a novel way. He would remove the internal wires from the binding posts, drill a hole for the wires coming from the output devices to come through, long enough to be used and clamped within the binding posts with the speaker wires. No soldering to the binding posts - just an air tight connection for the two wires. Well, four total if not bi-wiring for stereo.
This works much better than the usual setup but still pales in comparison to a soldered connection.
So I am intrigued.
You must be using some connectors I have not tried since that has never been my experience with ANY connector.
What are you using for interconnect and for speaker connections?
I have found the DELTRON XLRs, using only the insert, (only two pins used in a single ended system) to work very well for interconnects while I am taking components in and out of the system before finalizing but I have never heard anything come close to a soldered connection for loudspeakers - both at the amp and the driver/enclosure depending on the system make up.
Ric Schultz of TWEAK AUDIO came up with a idea of using the existing binding posts on amplifiers in a novel way. He would remove the internal wires from the binding posts, drill a hole for the wires coming from the output devices to come through, long enough to be used and clamped within the binding posts with the speaker wires. No soldering to the binding posts - just an air tight connection for the two wires. Well, four total if not bi-wiring for stereo.
This works much better than the usual setup but still pales in comparison to a soldered connection.
So I am intrigued.
For banana plugs these are as good as you'll ever need (unless your using really heavy cable)
8 x 4mm BANANA PLUGS BERYLLIUM Copper Gold Plated Z-type Hollow Audio Connectors | eBay
8 x 4mm BANANA PLUGS BERYLLIUM Copper Gold Plated Z-type Hollow Audio Connectors | eBay
Well another connector enthusiast!
No mention of the connectors used.
Must be those unobtanium connectors that have negative ESR?
Sure wish I had access to them. Best of both worlds! YIPPEE!
So the thread was intended to be about getting rid of connectors but in the science swamp of DIYAudio we get to hear the scientists telling us that connectors are better than soldered connection. One man's "snake oil" is another man's "science" ...
I did not know that a tenet of science is convenience of use but this is the modern world. If it is not convenient to get a result the result is invalid. What a boon to productivity in the lab.
AirBetweenTheNotes you should change your name to ConnectorBetweenTheNotes. Get with the times!
No mention of the connectors used.
Must be those unobtanium connectors that have negative ESR?
Sure wish I had access to them. Best of both worlds! YIPPEE!
So the thread was intended to be about getting rid of connectors but in the science swamp of DIYAudio we get to hear the scientists telling us that connectors are better than soldered connection. One man's "snake oil" is another man's "science" ...
I did not know that a tenet of science is convenience of use but this is the modern world. If it is not convenient to get a result the result is invalid. What a boon to productivity in the lab.
AirBetweenTheNotes you should change your name to ConnectorBetweenTheNotes. Get with the times!
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